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What sitting at desk all day does to us
Posted: Aug 15, 2015
I bet I'm not the only MT who has near-debilitating pain in the "sitz bones," aka ischial tuberosity pain. It's directly related to the fact that I sit all day long at my keyboard. I've tried buying ergonomic chairs and expensive seat cushions, adjusting my desk, sitting up as straight as I can, all to no avail. I've even had 2 rounds of corticosteroid injections in both ischial tuberosities, right and left. Ahhhh.....the effects of the steroid injections take place immediately (after the pain of the shots themselves!) and give me about 4-6 weeks of noooo pain. It's Heavenly! Then the pain comes back. And it's not safe to get many cortisone shots over the course of a lifetime, as they reduce the body's ability to produce its own cortisone.
This week I will start seeing a physical therapist, which hopefully will make a difference. If not, the next step is an MRI to look for avulsion fractures right at the ischial tuberosities and then possible surgery to repair the fractures. I hope it will not come to that, as it will require extensive time off work.
I'm interested to know if, and how many, other MTs suffer the same horrific pain when you're doing your job. Our bodies were not designed to sit for so m many hours straight. My pain is so bad now that it's affecting my ability to go and down steps and even to bend over and tie my shoes. I can only compare the grueling degree of pain to that of a bad episode of plantar fasciitis and heel stress fractures, which I've unfortunately experienced many times in the past. The ischial tuberosity connects to several joints and ligaments, including the hamstring.
Ischial tuberosity pain also affects some runners and athletes, as well as bike riders.
This article tells of the hazards associated with "sitting" type jobs:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/national/the-health-hazards-of-sitting/750/
And here is a drawing of exactly where ischial tuberosity pain occurs:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/classconnection/454/flashcards/334454/png/ischial_tuberosity1359857700817-148511aeec66241e114-14D224382272A8EA1C4.png
I'm all ears as to any methods others have used to eliminate or greatly reduce this literal pain in the you-know-what!
;
I feel your pain - anon
[ In Reply To ..]Did the PT bit. All it did was waste my money. Pain pills help but do not alleviate.
Good luck to you.
There has to be SOMETHING that will help - OP
[ In Reply To ..]Did your PT give you exercises or stretches to do? Did you try massage? I'm desperate enough to take out a loan to pay for massage therapy if it'll work. The pain is nothing less than excruciating, and it's constant. I can't believe it isn't a common condition among people who sit all day at a desk; yet, I've never heard of anyone else with it, besides you and me. I hear it all the time in bike riders and runners.
Simple, don't sit all day. I don't say this in a mean way... - I had the same problem....
[ In Reply To ..]I got myself one of those sit/stand desks and every hour I switch from sitting to standing and back again. There can also be problems with standing all day too, so going back and forth solves it. I would suggest getting one that EASILY switches back and forth.
That's a thought. - OP
[ In Reply To ..]I've seen those desks and wondered about them. Now I know someone (you) who actually uses one. Good suggestion!
but if you stand or walk - all day
[ In Reply To ..]you get varicose veins and aching feet. All things in moderation.
Good point, too. I already have vein problems. - OP
[ In Reply To ..]I've had 2 surgeries for chronic vascular insufficiency, and my vein specialist says no standing at a job. Walking is okay, as it circulates my blood, but standing makes the blood pool in my feet and ankles, which is not good. We'll what the physical therapist recommends this week. I'm desperate enough to just about anything if it'll relieve the pain. Sitting causes it, yet sitting is how I do my job. Darned if I do, and darned if I don't. :)
While I don't feel your pain - exactly,
[ In Reply To ..]by the end of my sweatshop shift my arse is literally screaming in pain, even with a few stand up breaks. I love the idea of a standing desk, but I also thought of this: Maybe someone could either invent or modify one of those alternating air mattresses that help prevent bed sores as a seat cushion? Maybe this already exists.
Now if we could just come up with something to help with aching shoulders, lumbago (really bad for me, some days can barely stand up and walk after 2 hours of sitting) and eyes watering at the end of the day, we might have something.
Anyway, hope you find some relief of a non chemical, non surgical nature!
Pain - MTT2
[ In Reply To ..]I use a combo of Vicodin and ibuprofen, try to get up as often as possible. I'm getting older, though, and I sure can feel it.
I myself have had frozen shoulder twice - yours sounds worse
[ In Reply To ..]I have to say that the first time I religiously went to PT 3 times a week (and $25 a pop way back when), then found the PT was actually causing me more pain and making it more difficult to type all day.
I realized the goals of physical therapy kind of went counter to the goals of being comfortable working.
In my case, they were working on ROM and being able to move the shoulder without pain or it seizing up.
I realized eventually, however, that I don't really need a good range of motion to type all day and the PT was actually causing me a lot of pain while working!
The second time I did absolutely nothing except regular NSAIDs and warm baths, and as far as work (and cost) went it was much better.
I do think that the one thing that helped me tremendously was the ultrasound, it really provided great heat to the muscle and ultimately was the best thing about going to PT. I have considered getting a home version if I get the dang frozen shoulder again.
You sound like you definitely need something more than warm baths and NSAIDs, so I hope the PT helps you. Just beware that sometimes it makes doing the job harder too, but ultimately perhaps it will work for you.
This is all great advice! - OP
[ In Reply To ..]Thank you, everyone, for your expert advice! The pain is as I'm sitting directly on a sharp rock. It doesn't hurt when I'm driving, as I guess I'm sitting at a different angle in the car. It hurts when I sit on the couch unless I put my feet up on the ottoman. It's even starting to hurt when I walk.
Ultrasound sounds like a good option. I'll talk with the PT about that. I'm leery of PT making things worse, as some of the posters said. I wonder if PT truly understands what ischial tuberosity pain is. In fact, I had to diagnose it myself and show information to my orthopedist, who then researched and said I was right! (And how much $$ does he make?) He wants to do an MRI to look for fractures, but insurance won't approve the MRI until I've had 6 PT sessions. At this point, the pain is seriously reducing my quality of life, and I will do almost anything to relieve it. Ibuprofen isn't even taking the edge off.
I'll let you know what I find out from my first PT session this Tuesday.
Have a lovely Sunday. :)
I have this too, but pain seems more directly on the tip - of the coccyx itself. SM
[ In Reply To ..]I'm wondering if we've actually worn down the bone a little bit by sitting so much, the pressure even from padded chairs or even soft surfaces like a cushion. No matter where I sit, anywhere else out in public, same problem when sitting a bit too long.
If someone had surgery to repair fractures, then what happens when you start sitting again?
This could possibly be a case for disability, I'd think.
Good point that sitting will un-do any repairs. - OP
[ In Reply To ..]I agree that even if surgery is performed, it would be impossible to maintain the benefit since we'd go right back to sitting in the same position. Your pain is in the coccyx area, which is tailbone. Right? I had that after a bad fall on the ice a few winters ago. It actually healed up on its own. It was more like a really bad bruise.
Have you found relief for your tailbone pain?
I admit I have poor posture at the keyboard. I start out sitting up straight, but eventually I'm sinking down into the chair.
Wheelchair cushion with a coccyx cut-out - and a better chair
[ In Reply To ..]Most MTs have cheap chairs. Get a better one.
Herman Miller Aeron or Mirra chairs have mesh seats that move with you. Less pressure.
If you already have a problem, you may need a wheelchair cushion with a coccyx cut-out.
Most people don't realize how hard it is on the body - LCO
[ In Reply To ..]to sit at a desk at least 8 hours a day everyday. I can't tell you how many times I've been told a person wishes they had my job where they sit at a desk all day! Like I'm kicking my feet up and napping all day long.
In addition to the strain on the back and hips from sitting for long periods of time, there is the fact that our hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders basically run a marathon every single day!
My solution is stretch, stretch, stretch! I try to stand up and stretch my hips and back at least every couple of hours. I do hand and wrist stretches, shoulder and neck stretches.
You're right, LCO. Our eyes and brains, too. - OP
[ In Reply To ..]Gosh, if we each had a dollar for each time someone has said "I could do your job. Just sit at a computer all day and type." Ha! Oh, sure. It's a walk in the park (not!).
Stretching sounds like the best remedy, no matter what ails us.
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